A family renovating their dream home in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, were left shocked and ill after uncovering dozens of chicken carcasses and other mysterious objects hidden within the walls. Kaija and Bryan Bretzius purchased the property, believing it required minimal work, but soon discovered the insulation needed upgrading.
When Bryan climbed into the attic to investigate, he found old bottles and 1980s pornographic magazines stuffed into the wall cavity. Further exploration revealed a burlap sack, which Kaija initially feared contained a baby, but instead held a chicken carcass. In total, they uncovered at least 20 chicken bodies along with remains of other small animals, some wrapped in newspaper dating to the 1920s and 1930s.
The couple fell acutely ill for several days after inhaling aerosolised bacteria from the mummified remains. Kaija speculates the animals were part of occult rituals known as 'pow-wow' or 'Dutch magic'. Relatives of the home's 1920s tenant, who still live locally, recalled stories of him using magic to heal ailments like fevers and whooping cough.
The couple had to tear out all the walls and rebuild them at a cost of $20,000 (about £15,000), which was not covered by insurance. Kaija, who was pregnant at the time, said the walls emitted a smell 'like death'. Some of the occult relics have since been placed in a museum.
